Third Annual Festival of Eclectic Banjo Music Runs March 8-10 at Silence Sounds, 46 Essex Street.

Lonesome Ace Stringboard

After 2 years of sold out shows, Banjofest Guelph 2019 is returning for it’s third annual March festival. Once again with a stellar line-up of mainly Ontario musicians, the fest has expanded this year to include acts from as far away as Nashville, Alberta and Montreal.

The styles of banjo music represented run the gamut: from bluegrass and old tyme through African Kora and western swing to banjo backed singer-songwriters and Jugband Canadiana!

Chris Coole & Ivan Rosenberg

The fest will feature a headliner for the first time this year. On Friday evening The Claire Lynch Band will take to the stage for the full session. Claire is a three time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and winner of seven International Bluegrass Music Association Awards .

Over The Moon (left) Val Sissokho (Kora) (right).

Other highlights include a Sunday set by Tom Power (host of CBC Radio’s “q”) and John Showman, a Saturday afternoon set by the wonderful Over The Moon Duo (“Cowbilly”) from Alberta, and a Saturday night set by The Lonesome Ace Stringband who will be featuring the music of John Hartford.

Please have a look at the website (www.banjofest.ca) or the Banjofest Guelph Facebook page for the full line-up, schedule, artist profiles and tickets. All four shows take place at Silence, 46 Essex Street.